Quest: a Tell-Tale of the Heart
Fri, 22 Aug 2008, 08:22 amGordon the Optom2 posts in thread
Quest: a Tell-Tale of the Heart
Fri, 22 Aug 2008, 08:22 am‘Quest: a Tell-Tale of the Heart’. Conceived and performed by Warren Antoine Herbu, this Australian 75-minute premiere is based on the Edgar Allan Poe story. It is presented by The Blue Room and X-RoaDS COLlectIVE at the Blue Room Theatre, Northbridge until 6th September, nightly at 8.00 pm. Special concessions for Pride members.
We join Edgar (Warren Antoine Herbu) on the veranda of his decaying mansion as he quotes Edward Lytton’s ‘it was a dark and stormy night’. He goes through various other pieces of poetry of the time, before inviting us into his drawing room. Amongst the piles of battered books strewn around, we watch as he takes tea with two ‘long lost’ friends. At the end of the tea party an angel appears, and invites Edgar to go on a Quest. He sets out on a dangerous sea journey to find the Sacred Chalice.
However, deep within his mind, The Tell-Tale Heart (of his father?) continues to beat threateningly. Edgar’s life style becomes more erratic, as his inevitable death approaches. It is thought that he died of TB, cholera, brain congestion, heart disease and rabies – yes, he was not a well man!
Back from a successful spell in London, local performer Herbu brings his solo show home. Workshopped and devised in collaboration with Brodie Caporn - this being her extremely successful directorial debut. Herbu and Caporn both trained with Total Theatre. Herbu’s performance was outstanding, his hypnotic eyes riveted the audience’s attention as he portrayed Poe’s manic mood swings. The show was packed with action, and the script a rich blend of poetry and well-constructed prose. His classical vocal delivery was reminiscent of Gelguid or Olivier quoting Shakespeare.
Emma Caporn’s design was remarkable, with his room looking just as it would have in 1840. The live, original string music by Elisa Siipola (from Jasmine Loop Control), was complemented by Karen Cook’s inventive, sensitive and mood provoking lighting.
In all aspects a very professional show.
‘Quest: a Tell-Tale of the Heart’. Conceived and performed by Warren Antoine Herbu, this Australian 75-minute premiere is based on the Edgar Allan Poe story. It is presented by The Blue Room and X-RoaDS COLlectIVE at the Blue Room Theatre, Northbridge until 6th September, nightly at 8.00 pm. Special concessions for Pride members.
We join Edgar (Warren Antoine Herbu) on the veranda of his decaying mansion as he quotes Edward Lytton’s ‘it was a dark and stormy night’. He goes through various other pieces of poetry of the time, before inviting us into his drawing room. Amongst the piles of battered books strewn around, we watch as he takes tea with two ‘long lost’ friends. At the end of the tea party an angel appears, and invites Edgar to go on a Quest. He sets out on a dangerous sea journey to find the Sacred Chalice.
However, deep within his mind, The Tell-Tale Heart (of his father?) continues to beat threateningly. Edgar’s life style becomes more erratic, as his inevitable death approaches. It is thought that he died of TB, cholera, brain congestion, heart disease and rabies – yes, he was not a well man!
Back from a successful spell in London, local performer Herbu brings his solo show home. Workshopped and devised in collaboration with Brodie Caporn - this being her extremely successful directorial debut. Herbu and Caporn both trained with Total Theatre. Herbu’s performance was outstanding, his hypnotic eyes riveted the audience’s attention as he portrayed Poe’s manic mood swings. The show was packed with action, and the script a rich blend of poetry and well-constructed prose. His classical vocal delivery was reminiscent of Gelguid or Olivier quoting Shakespeare.
Emma Caporn’s design was remarkable, with his room looking just as it would have in 1840. The live, original string music by Elisa Siipola (from Jasmine Loop Control), was complemented by Karen Cook’s inventive, sensitive and mood provoking lighting.
In all aspects a very professional show.
Quest - Warren Herbu